Modular X-ray diagnostic appliance

ABSTRACT

A modular X-ray diagnostic appliance has as a first module, a base support, as second module, at least one support for the base support, as a third module, at least one component of an X-ray imaging device, as a fourth module, a support device for an object to be examined, and, as a fifth module, a longitudinal carriage which is arranged above the base support and on which the component is mounted. The base support has support-device coupling elements for coupling the support device thereto, support-coupling elements for coupling the support thereto and component-coupling elements for coupling the component thereto. The component-coupling elements have a fixed and/or floating bearing arranged on the base support and connected to the longitudinal carriage. In a method for producing different series of X-ray diagnostic appliances, in which a structurally identical modular base support and a structurally identical modular support device are used for all series.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention is directed to a modular X-ray diagnosticappliance and a method for producing different series of X-raydiagnostic appliances.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Various X-ray diagnostic appliances are known which, depending onwhether the X-ray emitter is located above or below a support table foran object to be examined, are designated as over-table or under-tableX-ray diagnostic appliances. The X-ray emitter can be assigned aradiation receiver which is designed as an X-ray film, as an imageamplifier or as a solid-state detector. It is known to arrange the X-rayemitter so that it can be adjusted in relation to the radiationreceiver, or to arrange the radiation receiver so that it can beadjusted in relation to the X-ray emitter, or for both the X-ray emitterand the radiation receiver to be arranged so as to be adjustable, sothat an object to be examined can, for example, be exposed to radiationfrom different directions. For this purpose, it is known, for example,to mount the X-ray emitter and the radiation receiver lying opposite oneanother at the ends of a C-arm. In these X-ray diagnostic appliances,the support table can be mounted in a fixed position or can beadjustable, for example on a pedestal, so that it can be adjusted inheight and/or around a swivel axis and/or along its longitudinal axisand/or transverse axis. It is further known to mount an X-ray emitter,the radiation receiver and the support table on a floor column orceiling column, in each case constituting a separate part. Theunder-table or over-table X-ray diagnostic appliances in each case formone unit and are each made up of individual parts.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to be able to produce different X-raydiagnostic appliances using uniform or common parts, in order to reducecosts as well as to provide a method for achieving this result.

The above object is achieved in an X-ray appliance in accordance withthe invention wherein the X-ray diagnostic appliance is designed as amodular system which has, as a first module, a base support as a secondmodule, at least one support for the base support and, as a thirdmodule, at least one component of an imaging device, and wherein systemsupport-coupling elements are formed on the base support for couplingthe support thereto, and component-coupling elements are formed on thebase support for coupling the component thereto. The modular X-raydiagnostic appliance additionally has, as a fourth module, a supportdevice for an object to be examined. Support-device coupling elementsare formed on the base support for coupling the support device thereto.The modular X-ray diagnostic appliance according to the invention alsohas, as a fifth module, a longitudinal carriage which is arranged abovethe base support and is connected to a fixed and/or floating bearing.

This modular construction makes it possible to arrange differentsupports or components on the same base support, so that it is possibleto configure different X-ray diagnostic appliances.

The component-coupling elements has a fixed and/or floating bearingarranged on the base support, so that the components, for the purpose oftheir adjustment, are exactly guided by the fixed bearing and arefurther supported by the floating bearing. Such a design is alsoinexpensive.

Arranging the longitudinal carriage on the upper face of the basesupport has the advantage that the side faces of the base support can beused for coupling many different further modules to it. It isadvantageous if the guide rail of the floating bearing is arrangedgeodetically next to that of the fixed bearing.

It is advantageous for the bearing-device support-device couplingelements to be formed on at least one end face of the base support. Inconnection with the same base support, it is possible to form an X-raydiagnostic appliance which also has a support device for an object to beexamined.

The base support is designed for example as a bar. In cross section, ithas in particular the shape of a rectangle, preferably flat and/orhorizontal.

If the component is to be adjustable, then it is advantageous to providethe base support with a drive device for the component, in particular adrive device also for different components, which drive device at leastassists the personnel when adjusting the component, and the adjustmentcan preferably be controlled. The drive device can be connected to thelongitudinal carriage.

For the modular configuration of the X-ray diagnostic appliance, it isparticularly advantageous if a motor of the drive device, and to arrangeappropriate a motor of a further drive device, inside the base support.In this way, many free surface areas remain on the outside which canserve as coupling points for potential modules.

A further fixed support, which further modules engage, is preferablyarranged on the base support. A radiation receiver is preferablyarranged on the further fixed support and/or the support device for theobject to be examined is preferably adjustably mounted. For furthersupporting of the radiation receiver and/or of the bearing device, afurther floating bearing is provided which is arranged on a longitudinalbar oriented at least approximately parallel to the longitudinal axis ofthe base support and spaced apart from the base support. The furthersupport on the floating bearing affords precise guiding. In addition,the fixed bearing is of less complicated construction.

The longitudinal bar is preferably connected to the base support via atransverse bar, in particular via on the support-coupling elementsformed on the end face of the base support. A frame for the radiationreceiver and/or the support device is thus formed issuing from the basesupport, and the stability of this frame can be increased by the factthat a further transverse bar engages on the support-coupling elementsformed on the other end face of the base support. To ensure that theradiation receiver and/or the support device are at least also assistedin their adjustment, it is advantageous to arrange a further drivedevice for this purpose on the base support.

A radiation receiver can be arranged above the longitudinal carriage viaa telescoping column, and a radiation source can be provided below thelongitudinal carriage, spaced from the base support and the longitudinalcarriage. An under-table X-ray diagnostic appliance is thus formed frommodules.

A radiation source can be arranged above the longitudinal carriage via acantilevered column arranged on the longitudinal carriage, an over-tableX-ray diagnostic appliance is formed in modular fashion.

A C-arm X-ray diagnostic appliance can be formed in modular fashion bymeans of a holder for a C-arm being mounted on the longitudinalcarriage.

A suitable support, in particular for the base support, is a ceilingmounting, or a pedestal which is supported for example on the floor ofthe examination room.

Via the pedestal, the base support can advantageously be adjusted inheight and swiveled around a horizontal axis. Support-coupling elementsare advantageously provided on the underside and/or at least one of thesidewalls of the base support, via which elements either the pedestalarranged below the base support or the pedestal arranged laterally nextto the base support engages on the support-coupling elements via aconnecting element. An X-ray diagnostic appliance can thus be producedin conjunction with different support elements which are also eachdesigned as modules.

The X-ray diagnostic appliance according to the invention is thuscharacterized in particular by its modular construction, which makes itpossible to produce different X-ray diagnostic appliances using the samemodules or components. It is thus possible to fall back on basiccomponents, as a result of which the production costs in particular canbe reduced.

The above object also is achieved in accordance with the principles ofthe present invention in a method for producing different series ofX-ray diagnostic appliances, wherein a structurally identical modularbase support and a structurally identical modular support device areused for all series, and wherein each base support, as a central module,is prepared at different coupling points for coupling all modulesthereto that are employed in the series, and wherein the support deviceand, depending on the particular series, further modules, are arrangedon the base support, and wherein the aforementioned further modulesinclude a support for the base support and/or a component of an X-rayimaging device and/or a longitudinal carriage.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates the interface between the base support and a bracketin accordance with the invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates the interface between the base support and a tiltingfoot arrangement in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the interface of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 illustrates the interface between the base support and anover-table targeting device in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates the interface between the base support and anover-table radiation column in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates the interface between the base support and alongitudinal carriage of an under-table system in accordance with theinvention.

FIG. 7 illustrates the interface between the base support and a C-armsystem in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 8 illustrates the interface between the base support and a supportdevice designed as a table panel in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 9 is an overall view of a modular X-ray diagnostic applianceproduced in accordance with the inventive method and having a structurein accordance with the inventive apparatus, with a tilting footarrangement.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

X-ray diagnostic appliances are formed by a number of differentcomponents which are combined with one another in accordance with theintended purpose of use. The specific design of the appliance isdetermined by the manufacturer in accordance with the specifications bythe recipient and in accordance with the required performance profiler,and the relevant parts are put together. All the components which areabsolutely necessary are present in a basic version of the X-raydiagnostic appliance. In higher-grade configurations, further optionsare additionally built into the basic version. In a “high-endappliance”, all options are available.

X-ray diagnostic appliances also differ in terms of their design inthat, in principle, a distinction is made between over-table designs andunder-table designs, depending on where the radiation emitter isarranged. In order to make it feasible to assemble all possiblecombinations and structures, the X-ray diagnostic appliance according tothe invention is based on a platform concept which can be used both forunder-table appliances and for over-table appliances. The centralcomponent of each system is a substantially standardized base supportwith a number of interfaces for the attachment of further components.The base support generally forms the basis of all the X-ray diagnosticappliances that can be put together, and further components are addeddepending on the desired configuration. The entire modular system istherefore based on a standardized support. The interfaces, in theirsimplest form, can be designed as threaded bores onto which furthercoupling elements can be screwed. In a basic design, the X-raydiagnostic appliance has, apart from the base support, a tiltable tablewith a motor-driven table panel and a targeting device. By means of theplatform concept, the number of parts can be reduced by as much as 70%,and yet all variants can be assembled in a modular fashion.

In FIGS. 1 to 8, the interfaces between the base support and add-oncomponents are described.

FIG. 1 shows the base support 1 of the modular X-ray diagnosticappliance according to the invention, which base support 1 isconstructed as a module and represents the central component of theappliance. The presence of the base support 1 is obligatory in eachmodular X-ray diagnostic appliance, and all other components arearranged directly or indirectly on the base support 1. In theillustrative embodiment shown in FIG. 1, support-coupling elementsdesigned as screw connections 2 are arranged on the underside of thebase support 1 and on one side. The base support 1 is screwed to abracket 3 via these screw connections 2. The bracket 3 is formedessentially by a horizontal portion which is arranged under the basesupport 1 and protrudes laterally, and a vertical portion which in itsupper area has a supporting seat 4. The bracket 3 can be mountedpivotably on a pedestal via the supporting seat 4. Provision can also bemade for the bracket 3 to be adjustable in height, so that alifting/tilting foot arrangement is obtained. Three different footvariants are used which permit a range of swiveling of −20° to +90°,−45° to 90° and ±90°. The base support 1 is in this case swiveledtogether with the bracket 3 about a horizontal axis extending throughthe supporting seat 4. The fact that the supporting seat 4 of thebracket 3 is arranged alongside the base support 1 means that the basesupport 1 is readily accessible from all sides.

The interface between the base support 1 and a tilting foot arrangement5, as shown in FIG. 2, represents an alternative to the interface shownin FIG. 1. The support-coupling elements formed on the base support 1are bearing pins 6 which are arranged opposite one another on the longsides of the base support 1. The bearing pins 6 are screwed or weldedonto the base support 1. They serve to mount the base support 1 insupporting seats 7 of a tilting foot arrangement 5. The tilting footarrangement 5 has a bottom plate 8 and two parallel, spaced-apartsidewalls 9, as well as the supporting seats 7 in the upper area of thesidewall 9. Located between the two sidewalls 9 of the tilting footarrangement 5, and underneath a covering 10, there is a drive mechanism(not shown) which interacts with a toothed segment 11 arranged on thebase support 1 and connected rigidly thereto. Driving the toothedsegment 11 results in a pivoting of the base support 1 about thehorizontal axis which extends through the supporting seat 7.

The arrangement from FIG. 2 is shown in a side view in FIG. 3. Aball-bearing 12 is arranged in the bearing seat 7 and serves to receivethe bearing pin 6. By means of the tilting foot arrangement 5, the basesupport 1 and further components arranged thereon can be tilted througha range of swiveling of at least +90° to −20°. Instead of the toothedsegment 11 shown here, it is also possible to use a toothed wheel, atoothed belt or a gearing for the adjustment. In a further developmentof the invention, a lifting unit can also be integrated in the tiltingfoot arrangement 5 in order to permit adjustment of the height of thebase support 1. The interface with the base support is the same,although an additional interface can also be provided. This makes itmuch easier for the patient to get on and off, and its accessibility islikewise improved. Such a lifting unit includes a gearing unit which isvertically adjustable, for example by means of a chain drive. Otherdrive mechanisms are also conceivable.

FIG. 4 shows an interface between the base support 1 and an over-tabletargeting device 13. For this purpose, component-coupling elements areformed on the side of the base support 1 for the purpose of coupling thecomponent thereto, which coupling elements, in the illustrativeembodiment shown, are designed as a combination of a fixed-support guide14 and a floating-support guide 15. The fixed-support guide 14 isscrewed onto the side of the base support 1. The floating-support guide15 is secured on a bar 16. The arrangement of the fixed support and thefloating support can also be chosen vice-versa. The bar 16 is designedas a longitudinal bar and extends parallel to the longitudinal axis ofthe base support 1. The connection between the bar 16 and the basesupport 1 is effected via transverse bars (not shown in FIG. 4) whichare arranged on both sides at the ends of the bar 16 and, together withthe bar 16, form a support. The fixed support guide 14 interacts withcorresponding bearing components 17 which are arranged on the undersideof the over-table targeting device 13. The fixed bearing can, forexample, be a recirculating ball carriage or a slideway carriage.Analogously, the floating-support guide 15 interacts with supportcomponents 18 which can, for example, be designed as roller bearings. Inthis bearing arrangement, an exact guidance is achieved by the fixedsupport, and further support is achieved by the floating support.Extending between the guides there is a drive train with a drivemechanism 19 which preferably is designed as a chain, but can also bedesigned as spindle, toothed belt or toothed rod. Via the drivemechanism 19, the longitudinal displacement of the over-table targetingdevice 13 can be executed by motor. As an alternative to the over-tabletargeting device 13, an under-table cassette holder can also beprovided. The bearing guides 14, 15 permit the securing of differentsizes of bars 16 and supports.

A further interface arranged on the base support 1 is shown in FIG. 5.This is an interface to a longitudinal carriage 20 with a radiationemitter column 21 arranged thereon. Arranged at the upper end of theradiation emitter column 21 there is a radiation source (not shown inFIG. 5). For the mounting on the base support 1, the latter hascomponent-coupling elements which are designed as a fixed-support guide22 and a floating-support guide 23. The support guides correspond to thesupport guides 14 and 15 shown in FIG. 4. The fixed support guide 22 isformed, for example, by a recirculating ball carriage or a slidewaycarriage which interacts with a corresponding rail. The floating supportguide 23 is a roller bearing which runs, for example, in a C-shapeprofile matching it. The support guides 22, 23 are arranged on the basesupport 1 via screw connections so that, if necessary, they can easilybe replaced. Located inside the base support 1 there is a motor 24A of adrive mechanism 24 which is indicated only schematically and whichdisplaces the longitudinal carriage 20 and, with it, the radiationemitter column 21 in the longitudinal direction of the base support 1.The support and the longitudinal carriage 20 can be displacedindependently of one another.

FIG. 6 shows a modification of the illustrative embodiment in FIG. 5.The base support 1 with the support guides 22, 23 and with thelongitudinal carriage 20 is in this case identical to the previousillustrative embodiment. At one side, the longitudinal carriage 20 hasan extension adjoined by a bracket 25 which is arranged below thelongitudinal carriage and on which a radiation source 26 is secured. Theradiation source 26 is located alongside the base support 1 below thelongitudinal carriage 20. Arranged at the opposite side of thelongitudinal carriage 20 there is a vertical compression tower 27 whichat its upper end carries a targeting device and/or an image receiver 28.The radiation source 26 is oriented to the image receiver 28. Thetargeting device can also include an X-ray image amplifier or asolid-state detector. Overall, this arrangement represents a modularunder-table X-ray diagnostic appliance which can be moved longitudinallyrelative to the base support 1 via the longitudinal carriage 20.

A further alternative according to the invention is shown in FIG. 7. Asin the illustrative embodiment in FIG. 6, the base support 1 has, on itstop face, support guides 22, 23 which are provided for bearing andguiding a C-arm system 30 via a holder 29 representing a longitudinalcarriage. The holder 29, which can also permit a transverse displacementand/or rotary movement of the C-arm held on it, is connected rigidly tothe C-arm 30, for example screwed onto it, and thereby permits alongitudinal displacement of the C-arm system. The arrangement of theguides and of the drive mechanism corresponds to that of the previousillustrative embodiment.

Alternatively, provision can also be made to secure the holder 29 on aseparate longitudinal carriage 20, so that the components of the fixedsupport guide 22 and of the floating support guide 23 are arrangedbetween the base support 1 and the longitudinal carriage 20.

FIG. 8 shows a long side of the base support 1 in a side view. Arrangedat both ends of the base support 1 there are supporting-device couplingelements which are designed as floating-support guide 31 and afixed-support guide 32. The guides 31, 32 serve to guide a supportdevice for an object to be examined, which device is designed as tablepanel 33. Via a drive mechanism 34 (with motor 34A) arranged in the basesupport 1, the table panel 33 can be moved by a motor. Together with thesupport guides 22, 23 and the drive mechanism 24, the table panel 33 canbe displaced both in the longitudinal direction and in the transversedirection.

FIG. 9 shows a particularly suitable illustrative embodiment of theinvention in an overall view, in which the interfaces described in FIGS.2, 4 and 5, between the base support 1 and further modules, arerealized. The tilting foot arrangement 5 which permits a swiveling ofthe X-ray diagnostic appliance is situated underneath the support 1. Theradiation emitter column 21 with the radiation source 26 is arrangedabove the base support 1. Laterally in relation to the base support 1,the targeting device/image receiver 28 is mounted so as to bedisplaceable in the longitudinal direction. Additional support isafforded by the bar 16. Both modules can be moved independently of oneanother by means of the drive mechanism 19 (with motor 19A in the basesupport 1) which interacts with the image receiver 28, and by means ofthe drive mechanism 24 (with motor 24A in the base support 1) whichinteracts with the radiation emitter column 21. Overall, in this way, amodular X-ray diagnostic appliance is obtained which consists ofdifferent components put together in the manner of a system of buildingblocks.

Although modifications and changes may be suggested by those skilled inthe art, it is the invention of the inventors to embody within thepatent warranted heron all changes and modifications as reasonably andproperly come within the scope of their contribution to the art.

1. A method for producing multiple, different series of X-ray diagnosticappliances, comprising the steps of: in each of a plurality of differentseries of X-ray diagnostic appliances, employing a structurallyidentical modular base support and a structurally identical modularsupport device; in each of said series, preparing said base support at aplurality of different coupling points for respectively coupling aplurality of modules in the series to said base support; disposing saidsupport device on said base support and, depending on which of saidseries is being produced, selecting said modules to be coupled to saidbase support; and selecting said modules from the group consisting of asupport for said base support, a component of an X-ray imaging device,and a longitudinal carriage.
 2. A method as claimed in claim 1 whereinsaid series comprise over-table X-ray diagnostic appliances, under-tablediagnostic appliances, and C-arm X-ray diagnostic devices.
 3. A methodas claimed in claim 1 further comprising the additional step of, withineach of said series, selectively equipping said base support with adiffering number of components.